I love the looks of the 1911; but can't afford anything but the Philippine made ones. Another option suggested to me is the CZ75B in 9 MM. It is cheaper to shoot than a 1911 .45 ACP and has that "hi-power" look. Also, I have heard it is very reliable. Any thoughts about the CZ75?

__________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"...IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT!
"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

Have you fired the CZ75 before? If not I'd recommend that you do, I can't really comment on the reliability of the firearm, but what I've read in numerous reviews is that there is seldom a negative one.

Personally I've decided on the CZ75 compact, the C-100 from Tristar which can be found on Cheaper than dirt is essentially a "clone" of the compact and can be had for around $350 or so.

That's the experience of many people. Haven't held many guns that fit my hands quite as well as the CZ 75 and its variants. Add in excellent accuracy and reliability, and you have a winning combination.

That's the experience of many people. Haven't held many guns that fit my hands quite as well as the CZ 75 and its variants. Add in excellent accuracy and reliability, and you have a winning combination.

That is why the old saw got created which goes, "Sigs are for people who don't know about CZs".

As far as the reliability of the clones... Researching each brand may be best.

I have heard the Armalite version and Baby Eagle clone are good, but I never dug deep, only the odd mentioned comment here and there. (I hear more about the Baby Eagle)

EAA , I owned one in 45 and I liked it a lot.

One thing with the EAA is that I think that they have went to the large frame version for all the calibers, This makes it easy to use their caliber change kits to go from 9mm, 40, 45 and 10mm even 22lr... but the problem is that it is a large frame, larger than the 9mm and 40 CZ. (before they used the standard frame on the 9mm and 40 version, preventing you from fitting the larger calibers for conversion)

I now some clones use a different mainspring than the CZ, and the magazines may be slightly different. Keep that in mind for aftermarket parts reasons. All the custom springs, triggers, and hammers available for the CZ may not work in a clone.

The thing with the CZ 75 siblings (made by CZ)... they may be newer models, but they are almost exactly the same as the 75... Most of the difference is in material selection and maybe the level of fit, finish and tolerances. The only major change that has happened is the new Omega trigger system they have in some models (like the P-07), which is available on the 75 as well. The new trigger is nice, but aftermarket for it is still small, and less is known about it to get it tuned really well.

have a look at the p06. 40 caliber, same thing as the amazing p01. The 75b is fine but an older design.

Not really much difference between those guns -- mostly a different dust cover and accessory rail on the P-01/P-06. Internally, they're the same. The P-guns are decocker guns, while the CZ75B can be had in either format.

If you want a compact gun with a decocker, an alloy frame and an accessory rail, get a P-01 or P-06. If you want a full-size gun without the accessory rail, in steel, and a safety that allow cocked and locked carry if you want it, get the 75B (in either 9mm or .40. If you want a decocker on that gun, look for a 75BD.

I'd look around for a used 75B as my first exposure to the CZ line. The trigger will often be nicely broken in, and you're not likely to have problems with a used CZ.

The Witness guns are pretty nice and the triggers are often nicer out of the box. The only downside of the Witness line is that if you have serious problems -- not common --- Witness (EAA Corp) customer service has a long history of crappy support. That may be improving. CZ's customer service is quite good.

As a previous poster stated; "To hold one is to want one.". That is exactly how I bought my first cZ75 thirty years ago. In the intervening years. I have acquired several more and have never had a problem with any of them.

Recently I purchased a Tristar C100 and have been pleased. I did a comparison, on another forum, of the C100 and the cZ 75 Compact. The C100 is similar to the cZ Compact, but is not a clone. Having always wanted a full size 75 with a light frame, I am thinking about the Canik 55 L120.

Over the years I acquired a couple of Witness', one in 9mm and one in .45. Both have since left the fold. Also of interest are the AR24s in full size and compact.

I have one of each. Yes, the P01 is 9mm, and the P06 is .40, and the two are virtually identical in external dimensions. BUT...

... the magazine base of the P06 is significantly taller at the rear than is the base of the P01, enough so that the P06 poses similar concealment challenges to the full-size CZ75 series (with flush mags on the full-size).

This may or may not pose a significant problem to a given shooter, but it is something that should be checked against body type, carry position, and normal clothing.

(Edit: I'm considering selling my P06, in fact, because that extra bit of height puts it at similar height to my full-size 1911, so what's the point?)

I love the looks of the 1911; but can't afford anything but the Philippine made ones. Another option suggested to me is the CZ75B in 9 MM. It is cheaper to shoot than a 1911 .45 ACP and has that "hi-power" look. Also, I have heard it is very reliable. Any thoughts about the CZ75?

I think your choice is obvious.

Own one, love it. It's not the gun of all guns, but it's my HD of choice. Check me out and you'll see.

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